Last Tuesday I made a big announcement at work, I’ve resigned from my job, put in my 2 weeks notice and have decided to become a stay at home Mom (SAHM). Super big decision. But one I know in my heart is so right. I’ve been struggling with this since I first found out I was pregnant with the boys and its always weighed heavy on me. And financially we couldn’t afford it, but as you might be aware of we have incorporated some budget friendly tips into our lives, and DT (Owner/operator truck driver) has changed to hauling a different, more financially stable products and it’s possible now.
I am so excited about this new chapter in our lives, but also super nervous. I know at times I get overwhelmed, insecure, worried, incapable, lonely, bored, and that’s NOW! So I know that will happen for sure when I am home 24/7! And now with DT’s new job he is gone at least 4-5 days at a time. So its just me! That thought literally scares the bejesus out of me at times! I need adult inter-action, I need the help, I need my husband, I need to get out of the house, I need to feel normal! As I type this I notice one common thought in all of this I, I, I. But I am staying home for my two sweet little guys. It’s all about them, and then a little about me.
Like I’ve said before I’ve spendt quite a bit of time thinking about this, and my plan of action. To not become any of those unwanted things and also not break the bank trying to be busy. So here are a few of my ideas.
- Visit the local library! For the children’s book hour and to check out books for boys and me!
- Start a playgroup- I know a few other stay at home mom’s and hopefully plan to meet up once a week, either at the park or each other’s houses. Let the kids play and then also get some adult conversations.
- Visit family and friends- stay connected with my current friends, and family.
- Have a daily activity for the boys planned : like coloring, painting, sidewalk chalk, swimming in the pool or sprinkler, going on a walk/run.
These are just a few of my ideas, trust me I know this is not going to be easy, but I would love any advice or tips from other SAHM’s!!!
Congratulations on making such a big and wonderful decision!! Your boys will appreciate it and I’m sure you will too 🙂
Congratulations! I can imagine how hard that decision was for you! I’m counting down the days until I can be a SAHM, too! Job finishes school in December. At most, I think I’ll work two more years. I’m hoping it’s closer to 1 more year though.
You and the boys will figure out a routine that works and will be happier too!
Congrats!!
OH i am sooo happy for you!! That is awesome!!
You totally deserve it, your an awesome mom and friend! I am so happy for ya’ll! I can’t wait to start our girl time get away now that you are staying at home and need sometime away …..we can leave the boys with our husbands/ parents on call 24/7..ha j/k I just wish we lived closer together even more now 🙁 I know you will find alot of things for you and your boys to do. Ya’ll can have arts and craft days,paint days, park days,go on a nature walk,pool days, go visit Aiden in SA days and I am sure many other fun days as they get older.
Congratulations!! I am glad that you are in a position where you are now able to do this, something you’ve wanted to do for so long! 🙂
Congratulations! I became a SAHM for the first 3 years of my daughter’s life and it was the best decision I could have made for both of us.
My only advice is make sure you get out and visit friends and support groups as it can be very isolating staying at home with only the kids to talk to.
But you can’t replace that time with little ones and it goes so fast – have a wonderful time with your boys 🙂
Congratulations on your decision!
I, too, worked when Evie was first born. I loved my job, but I hated being away from her everyday. So I gave my notice right around her first birthday. It took FIVE more months before I hired and trained my replacement, and I’ve been home full-time since then!
I love it!
It does get hard sometimes, though. It looks like you have a great plan. Our library is great – storytime and fun programs. I also joined a playgroup and Meetup group (www.meetup.com.) If your church has a MOPS group, I’ve heard that’s a great resource, too. Simple things like taking sponges and water out in the driveway, Play-doh, glue, and paint fill the time well! It will get easier as your boys get older.
The hardest thing for me has not been the isolation, but losing the sense of “value” work gave me. I was used to getting a lot of praise and self-worth from my job. But Evie doesn’t say “That was a great craft!” and Chris doesn’t come home and say “Wow! You vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom!” So I’ve had to focus on the long-term benefits of being at home!
This is a long comment, but email me if I can help in any way!
Congratulations!! I am a firm believer that the BEST things AREN’T easy – they never are…….I think you will be a wonderful SAHM!! You have an endless supply of ideas / crafts right at your fingertips w/ the internet & blogworld…I am secretly hoping you will add all your ideas to your blog to help other working moms (like myself) convert to being a SAHM. Best wishes!
Congratulations!!!!! that is great!
Way to go! You will not regret it 🙂
God bless you and your family!
Love,
Beth
Congratulations! That is a big step and one I’m sure you will really cherish!!
I always want to e-mail you back after you comment but your e-mail isn’t linked.
My advice for making the transition: take it one day at a time and enjoy your kids 🙂 And don’t try to do too much at first (like house cleaning, errands, etc.) Just enjoy playing with your kids.
Hooray!! I am delighted for you!! This is just wonderful. 🙂 Yes you will have more than a few moments when you question your sanity but it’s going to be worth it.
I cannot recommend this organization enough:
http://www.mops.org/ I joined MOPS soon after I became a SAHM and met so many women there who became my best friends. Plus I learned a ton about parenting and myself and the kids enjoyed it too.
Congratulations on your decision! It will be an adjustment but being a SAHM is the best job that you will ever love and the most frustrating job you will ever do:-) Enjoy!
Just some other ideas you can add in or throw out if you like.
Now is a great time to pull out that camera and snap away, catch everything!!!
Find a hobby that is all about you that you can enjoy when the kids are asleep or elsewhere!
Don’t be afraid to get a babysitter if you just need some time all by yourself.
Pools are also a lot of fun and keep em so entertained! (Swim lessons are good too).
Congrats on your choice! You’ll love it and regret it too sometimes, but it’s a great choice for people who can do it (mentally and financially)
I’ve been a SAHM and working out of the home mom for 18 yrs and sometimes when they were young I wanted to rip my hair out, but at the end of the day it was always worth it.
We used to incorporate a lot of learning activities into playtime. Whether it was counting stuff (like pots and pan when putting them into the cupboard or matchbox cars when putting away…..or math problems hidden in stuff like 1 apple plus 2 apples is three apples…to fun flash cards. (when they were your kids ages)
You’ll have a great time! Congrats again!
Good for you! From the looks of that picture you will have plenty to do just keeping up with the boys. Just think you can get up and drink your coffee in peace, not worrying about if you are going to be late. The boys can sleep a little longer in the morning and Granny and Pop will love getting to see them more often. You can have Sam come over and play with them and take her on some of your adventures. Also, take them out to the field to ride on the combines while they are cutting rice. One with Pop and the other with Pappy and take lunch out to them. See there will be lots of things for the three of you to do.
Enjoy every minute of your time with them. Before you know it they will be grown up and driving or graduated from college looking for a job like my two are doing. Where does the time go? I am very happy for you, I loved being a SAHM!
I hate that I was not a SAHM, If I had it to do over and finances were right I would have done it. They grow up so fast. You are so busy with so much as it is you will find that you can really enjoy the boys even more. Hey you may have to start fixng lunch for your mother and dad or better yet, cook their dinner. Wish you would have given me a heads up, maybe I could have applied for your job.
Congratulations on your big decision!I’m sure it will be the toughest job you’ve ever had! Glad you have the opportunity to do it-you’re very lucky!